A 65-year-old man, Friday Azala, was on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by an Egor Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly having canal knowledge of his friend’s 12-year-old daughter. Azala was accused of defiling the girl at No. 6, Agho Street, off Textile Mill road, Benin, on April 9, 2017.

According to the prosecutor, Ben Omoruyi, the accused is a friend to the victim’s father, who is bed-ridden, and always comes to the house on the pretence of seeing his friend.

Omoruyi told the court that the accused had defiled the girl “several times before he was caught in the act.”

He also said the accused always lured the girl with N20, to have his way.

Azala, however, pleaded not guilty, claiming that he only embraced the girl and had never had sex with her.

“I did no such thing as having canal knowledge of her, I embrace her only on fiveoccasions, and I also released on those occasions.

“I’m only being lied against by her mother because we had a misunderstanding. We are neighbours.”

The Chief Magistrate, Igho Braimah, who ordered Azala to be remanded in prison, adjourned the case till April 19, for hearing.